WEIGHT CLASSES

The UFC recognizes nine weight classes, ranging from 115-265 pounds. The Heavyweights are known for their devastating power and throw punches with extreme force. The Bantamweights and flyweights are known more for their speed and agility. Fighters are allowed to move up and down between weight classes by gaining or losing weight, but when they move into the lighter classes they may sacrifice strength, and when they move to the heavier classes they may not be quite as speedy as before.

Some fighters may begin their training for an event 10-15 lbs overweight, but lose it in time for the weigh in. Once a fighter makes weight, he follows strict nutritional guidelines to re-hydrate and get ready for the fight. Other fighters choose to maintain the same weight and stay in their weight class, so they don't have to gain or cut weight before a fight.

Weight Class Title Holders

*Expand weight classes for related footnotes.

Division

Champion

Since

Title Defenses

Women's Strawweight

Joanna Jedrzejczyk

March 14, 2015
(UFC 185: Pettis vs Dos Anjos)

3

Carla Esparza

December 12, 2014
(The Ultimate Fighter Finale: A Champion Will Be Crowned)

0

Flyweight

Demetrious Johnson

September 23, 2012
(UFC 152)

8

Bantamweight

Dominick Cruz

January 17, 2016
(UFC Fight Night: Dillashaw vs Cruz)

1

TJ Dillashaw

May 24, 2014
(UFC 173: Barao VS. Dillashaw)

2

Renan Barao

January 6, 2014
(UFC 165)

1

Dominick Cruz
b1

July 2, 2011
(UFC 132)

2

b1 12/16/10 marked the last WEC event before the merger with UFC. Dominick Cruz was defending his WEC Bantamweight Title for the last time against Scott Jorgensen, but also fighting for the first UFC Bantamweight Belt on that historic night.

Women's Bantamweight

Amanda Nunes

July 9, 2016
(UFC 200: Tate vs Nunes)

0

Miesha Tate

March 6, 2016
(UFC 196: McGregor vs Diaz)

0

Holly Holm

November 14, 2015
(UFC 193: Rousey vs Holm)

0

Ronda Rousey

December 6, 2012

4

Featherweight

Conor McGregor

December 12, 2015
(UFC 194: Aldo vs McGregor)

0

Conor McGregor

December 12, 2015
(UFC 194: Aldo vs McGregor)

0

Jose Aldo
f1

April 30, 2011
(UFC 129)

7

f1 Jose Aldo was the WEC Featherweight Champion and had just defended his title prior to the UFC/WEC merger. He was named the first UFC Featherweight Champion.

w1 On December 29, 2007, Matt Serra was injured and unable to defend his title. St-Pierre stepped in to fight Matt Hughes and defeated him for the Interim Welterweight Title. On April 19, 2008, interim champion Georges St-Pierre defeated champion, Matt Serra and was named the undisputed Welterweight Champion.

Middleweight

Michael Bisping

June 4, 2016
(UFC 199: Rockhold vs Bisping 2)

0

Luke Rockhold

December 12, 2015
(UFC 194: Aldo vs McGregor)

0

CHRIS WEIDMAN

July 7, 2013
(UFC 162)

3

Anderson Silva

October 14, 2006
(UFC 64)

8

Rich Franklin

June 4, 2005
(UFC 53)

2

Evan Tanner
m1

February 5, 2005
(UFC 51)

0

Murilo Bustamante
m2

January 11, 2002
(UFC 35 )

1

Dave Menne

September 28, 2001
(UFC 33)

0

m1 David Terrell and Evan Tanner fought for the vacant Middleweight title in UFC 51.

m2 The MW title became vacant when Murilo Bustamante left the UFC in 2002. David Terrell and Evan Tanner fought for the title in UFC 51.

Light Heavyweight

Daniel Cormier

May 23, 2015
(UFC 187: Johnson vs Cormier)

1

Jon Jones
l1

March 19, 2011
(UFC 128)

8

Mauricio Rua

May 8, 2010
(UFC 113)

0

Lyoto Machida

May 23, 2009
(UFC 98)

1

Rashad Evans

December 27, 2008
(UFC 92)

0

Forrest Griffin

July 5, 2008
(UFC 86)

0

Quinton Jackson

September 8, 2007
(UFC 71)

1

Chuck Liddell

April 16, 2005
(UFC 52)

4

Randy Couture

August 21, 2004
(UFC 49)

0

Vitor Belfort

January 31, 2004
(UFC 46)

0

Randy Couture

September 26, 2003
(UFC 43)

1

Tito Ortiz

April 14, 2000
(UFC 25)

5

Frank Shamrock

December 7, 1996
(UFC)

4

l1 Jon Jones was suspended and stripped of his title on April 28, 2015

h3 Due to a motorcycle accident, Frank Mir was unable to defend his title. Andrei Arlovski defeated Tim Sylvia to claim the interim heavyweight title. After two successful title defenses, and since Frank Mir had not fully recovered from his accident, the UFC officially recognized Arlovski as the undisputed heavyweight champion in August of 2005.